BULL SHOALS – Discussions about minimum flows from Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes were first discussed nearly a half century ago. Those initial conversations are coming to fruition as the first minimum flows are now moving through Bull Shoals Dam.

If you've fished Arkansas’s world famous tailwaters during periods of no generation, you've got some idea of why minimum flow is such an important project.

A celebration of the minimum flows coming through Bull Shoals Dam was held last month. Several people who were instrumental in the project sang the praises of the project. Mike Freeze and Forrest L. Wood who are both former commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Congressman Mark Pryor, Congressman John Boozman, Clark Hall from Gov. Mike Beebe’s office, Randy Hathaway from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and AGFC Deputy Director Mike Armstrong spoke to the crowd about the minimum flow journey and its benefits.

Bull Shoals and the other dams of the White River system were built for flood control and power generation. Fishing wasn’t mentioned in the congressional acts that launched the dams. But Arkansas’s trout fishing industry has grown to international renown and has become a major economic activity.

The problem? When water flows are non-existent, multiple problems arise, like food production, chiefly aquatic insects, small boat navigation and water temperatures. When there is no generation or flood release, the water flow goes to almost nothing. The only water coming from the dam escapes from small leaks. What the trout fishery needed was an adequate minimum flow for temperature control, food production and angler access.

The Energy and Water Bill of 2006 authorized implementation of White River Minimum Flows on Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes. The project allocates storage space in the lakes to provide small releases when hydropower is not being generated, keeping cold water flowing for downstream trout. Minimum flows have begun from Bull Shoals Dam and should begin in the near future from Norfork Lake.

The AGFC provided relocations or modifications for public and private lake facilities affected by the minimum flows to allow for reasonable continued use of those facilities at both lakes.

Down a deer? Tag it immediately

LITTLE ROCK – When a hunter brings down a deer, it is a special moment for that person whether he or she is young or old, newcomer or experienced.

With excitement high and adrenaline rushing, it is easy and understandable that some hunters forget the essential next step.

Tag the deer before it is moved.

That is the long-standing regulation of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for deer hunting. You tag the deer before you move it, even for a better angle for photos.

Load the untagged deer on a four-wheeler and take it back to camp? This does not sit well with wildlife officers. A wildlife violation will erase all the euphoria over the hunter’s success along with making a hefty dent in a wallet.

Game tags are on annual licenses. For persons not required to have annual licenses – those under 16 and those over 65 with lifetime licenses – game tags are in the back of the 2013-2014 Hunting Guidebook. Be optimistic and be worry-free. Clip out a couple of these game tags before you go into the deer woods. Put them with a hunter education or your identifications or driver’s license. Now you are ready to take a deer.

If the head is removed from harvested big game, harvest information must remain will all other portions until final storage. This includes while the harvested deer is in transit. There are several carcass identification tags available in the 2013-14 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook.

AGFC stocks more than 530,000 fish during August

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission crews stocked more than 530,000 fish in Arkansas lakes and rivers during August, according to Mark Oliver, chief of the Fisheries Division. The total stocking of fish weighed more than 104,700 pounds.

LITTLE ROCK – If you enjoy the outdoors, Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry has a deal for you. Duck Duck Goose is a popular consignment sale that features children’s clothing and accessories at the Hall of Industry on the Arkansas State Fairgrounds.

Second, take your items to a PODS container at one of four Farmers’ Association stores in central Arkansas through Sept. 14 (you’ll receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation).

* Benton – 18835 Interstate 30, 501-776-2727

* Cabot – 2691 Highway 367 S., 501-941-2545

* Little Rock – 4816 Stagecoach Road, 501-565-0961

* Malvern – 805 W. Moline St., 501-337-9539

Third, help Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry by buying affordable outdoors gear at the Duck Duck Hunt sale. All of the proceeds from Duck Duck Hunt go directly to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, a program that provides meals to the state’s most needy people. The success of the program depends on the generosity of hunters (who donate venison and other wild game), cooperation from meat processors, support from local food distribution organizations, and financial contributions.

For more information about the sale, visit www.duckduckhunt.com. For more about Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, visit www.arkansashunters.org.